(CNN) — John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, launched his first general election ad Friday, portraying himself as a strong, courageous and patriotic leader.

“John McCain. The American president Americans have been waiting for,” the ad’s narrator says.

Throughout the 60 second spot, images of McCain now, and during his days in Vietnam, flash across the screen while newspaper headlines superimposed behind the video call him an image for the future, ‘a real hero,’ ‘ready on day one.’

“What must a president believe about us? About America? That she is worth protecting? That liberty is priceless? Our people are honorable? Our future prosperous, remarkable and free?,” the ad’s narrator also says.

The ad, set to run in the battleground state of New Mexico, also features footage of McCain as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

soundoff(124 Responses)

Mikey Boy

John McCain,
Honorable man, and on the wrong side of the Iraq issue.
With 70% of America decidedly against the Iraq war, how can he even think he has a chance to lead this country through 100 more years of Iraq conflict.

March 28, 2008 10:17 am at 10:17 am |

Grif

John "man of the moment" McCain.. Go John.
Show them hyow it's done..

March 28, 2008 10:18 am at 10:18 am |

HH

No one wants to see ads with more war footage. Ahuge majority dont want us in this war. Stop playing the POW card. The Vietnam war COST US almost 60,000 troops with 305,000 WOUNDED.

March 28, 2008 10:20 am at 10:20 am |

Saad

Senator McCain is not a bad man... definitely not as bad as President Bush and hopefully will not chose evils on his team like Cheney and Rumsfeld..... but 4 more years or republicans... aaahhhh I want to cry....

March 28, 2008 10:20 am at 10:20 am |

RealityKing

We need someone that's always proud to be American and never a bold face liar. Clearly John McCain is the only good choice..

March 28, 2008 10:23 am at 10:23 am |

CHERYL

WELL HILLARY WILL STILL EAT YOU FOR LUNCH!!!!!!!!

March 28, 2008 10:23 am at 10:23 am |

Enderlyn from Toronto

And the democrats are still bickering.

March 28, 2008 10:24 am at 10:24 am |

Fred

Couldnt run a coolaide stand.

March 28, 2008 10:24 am at 10:24 am |

polanco from NJ

Please Mr Mccain stop dreaming, this country under this economic situation is not stupid enough to make the same mistake we did with Mr Crazy Bush.
And unfurtunately that's what we see when we see you , 4 more years of nonesence wars and probably 4 more of the same fear = 8

March 28, 2008 10:24 am at 10:24 am |

Doug R.

Sounds like McCain is already playing the patriot card.
Add is misleading and inaccurate- McCain is not the American president.

March 28, 2008 10:27 am at 10:27 am |

txpoodoo

The opening bell of Round 1 has rung and the Democrats are trying to figure out who needs to go out there and punch McCain in the head.

Round 1 goes to McCain.

March 28, 2008 10:27 am at 10:27 am |

Will

Sorry, Repubs. You taught us in 2004 with John Kerry that being a war hero means nothing. Your turn!!

OBAMA or HILLARY in 08! I'll take either one!!

March 28, 2008 10:28 am at 10:28 am |

Ryan

Whats sad is this 'patriotic' malarky will work. Meanwhile, people will remain broke, houses will continue to get foreclosed, soldiers and innocent people will continue to die and we'll be no better off.

Wave that flag as hard you can, it'll make everything better.

March 28, 2008 10:28 am at 10:28 am |

Uncle Sam

As this presidential race continues, I believe that more and more Americans will support Senator John McCain. Sometimes we do not appreciate the greatness in a candidate until we see the alternative. When a tortured prisoner of war with broken body is offered freedom from hell and declines out of regard for his fellow captives, that demonstrates a level of moral courage that most of us can barely imagine. Such nobility of character is no small thing and is not limited to an event that happened forty years ago. We see it arise again and again. When Sen. McCain takes on members of his own party out of conscience. And when he reaches across the political divide to help enact legislation for the good of the country. And we see it, when as a candidate, he risks his own presidential ambition by remaining true to his vow to protect our country from harm. And when he commits to treating the other candidates with respect. The Jewish people have a word for someone like John McCain – he is a mensch. And I would vote for him if he were running for Miss America.

March 28, 2008 10:29 am at 10:29 am |

BG - Texas

The REAL DEAL. I trust him more to protect our country (REAL experience) than the other two democratic candidates who can't seem to get their stories together while flip flopping and lying through everything.

A true typical American Hero and Patriot – God Bless/Help America!

March 28, 2008 10:30 am at 10:30 am |

mp

Not sure he can 'Forge a path to the future' when he's so obviously embroiled in the past.

March 28, 2008 10:31 am at 10:31 am |

George B from Westerville

Did the voiceover also include "100 years in Iraq" and "I don't know anything about the economy"?

March 28, 2008 10:33 am at 10:33 am |

Scott, Cincinnati

John McCain has already indicated he wants to stay the course in Iraq, possibly invade Iran, and is clueless when it comes to our economy. While his life experience is impressive, it should be he's been around for what 80 years. He's what some may call a great American. But here's the thing, he represents the past, poor decisions and a willingness to continue on the same failed course the GOP has set in motion. The nation I want to leave my family and offer the world will not be possible unless we the voters change the direction of our government and vote for Obama. John Mcsame could put Jesus on the ticket as a VP and I would still vote for Obama.

March 28, 2008 10:34 am at 10:34 am |

Praetorian, Fort Myers

Great job.

Also–look for the insurgents and Al Qaeda in Iraq to initiate their own surge in violence in Iraq between now and November.

The last thing they want is McCain in the White House. He is clearly a better commander than Bush–and they will lose ground not only through policy initiatives in the region–but through skillful use of military power.

If Obama or Clinton are elected–they feel they will have time to re-equip, recruit, and re-strategize for a whole new offensive. They are convinced they will be able to revitalize efforts to keep western style democracy out of Iraq, in favor of radical Islamic leadership.

March 28, 2008 10:35 am at 10:35 am |

sophia nyc

The dems are screwed.

March 28, 2008 10:38 am at 10:38 am |

Ellie

Are you kidding me? McCain needs to stop. He's too old, even the polls show that senior are most likely NOT to vote for him based on his age. AND let's not forget his lack of knowledge when it comes to economics. He's so daft in this arena anyone will beat him in November on that issue alone.

March 28, 2008 10:39 am at 10:39 am |

Tired of all of this

If Obama is the nominee, this will be the next President of the United States. The more I hear about Rev. Wright the more frightening Obama becomes. The 20 years of mentoring is a form of brain washing. Only after this last round of news, he would have left the church? It is too bad none of this surfaced in the early stages of this election. I just find it hard to believe he can have any supporters left. This country will not elect him if he is the nominee. The republicans need only to point a finger in the direction of Rev. Wright. You can argue all you want about Obama didn't say it, he listened for 20 years. The handwriting is on the wall.

March 28, 2008 10:40 am at 10:40 am |

Brian

John McCain has a bowl of Werther's Originals on his coffee table.

March 28, 2008 10:41 am at 10:41 am |

Gabriel

“What must a president believe about us?"
"Our people honorable?"
READY ON DAY ONE?

McCain needs to thank Hillary for the campaign slogan. As for the rest, did you get it? He's running as THE REAL American (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). This is to appeal to his constituency (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

"The American President America's been waiting for" – line lifted off of Obama's New Hampshire speech.